Canadian Film Weekly (Feb 7, 1945)

a css Page 14 For Maritimes Open Air House (Continued from Page 1) middle of May or perhaps at May 24, the date depending on the prevailing weather. There will be seating capacity of about 800, plus space for parked cars. However, the drive-in phase will not be featured owing to the bulk of the people coming to the park by ferry, bus, and their own boats and canoes. When Mrs. Martin submitted her plan to the city council of Halifax, it was given approval but the operation of the outdoor movies will be subject to the Municipal Parks Commission. Mrs. Martin had to wait until the civic okay was available before starting to buy the equipment and fixtures. Outdoor theatres are not new to public parks and beaches in the maritime provinces, but in the past they have been concentrated on vaudeville acts. Probably the pioneer park vaude theatre was at Sea Side Park, near Saint John, N.B. where bills were changed twice weekly or once weekly for several seasons. This park closed about a dozen years ago. Dave Snider Resigns, Enters Exhibition David W. Snider, supervisor of projection for 20th Century Theatres and for a number of years before that chief projectionist at Marks, Oshawa, has_ resigned from that post. He has acquired a half-interest in the Adelphi Theatre building, which was purchased from Adam Baillie. Other partner is W. R. Davis, still in the RCAF. Dave is well-known and popular in both Oshawa and Toronto deserves the best wishes of all. Torento Elects Variety Exec (Continued from Page 1) located. The Variety Clubs of America are service organizations to which all members of the amusement field belong. There are now 26 tents in that many cities in the United States and none in Canada. The Toronto tent will be the first and it is hoped that other Canadian cities will follow the Queen City’s lead. Chief purpose of the organization is to create or assist in good works and it is referred to as “The Heart of Show Business.” Rules are that men only can be members. National Chief Barker is R. J. (Bob) O’Donnell, Texas circuit chief. Canadian FILM WEEKLY This interesting window appeared in Eaton’s, Hamilton, Ontario, and was arranged by Lloyd Gurr, manager of the ’ Century Theatre, in connection with the showing of “Something For the Boys.” ASN Servicemen Back to Jobs Flying Officer Tony Hargreaves and Sergeant Howard Hamilton are the first two Associated Screen News staff members to complete service in the armed forces and return to their civilian occupations. Approximately 25 per cent of the company staff is serving in some branch of the services, many of them in photographic work overseas. F/O Tony Hargreaves has been with the Royal Canadian Air Force for more than four years. Much of that time he was attached to fighter squadrons flying Spitfires and Mustangs overseas. A month after “D-Day” he was shot down over France, was looked after by the underground until invasion forces liberated him. Wounded, he came back to Canada and recently obtained his discharge to return to Associated Screen. Studios where he is employed in camera work on title and animation stands by the art department. Set. Howard ‘‘Ned”’ Hamilton served three and a half years w.th the RCAF, a large part of that time as pilot engaged in navigation instruction at Air Observer Schools in Canada. Immediately following his recent discharge, he returned to the Associated Sereen laboratory, in the inspection department. Thieves Busy Cracksmen stole $200 from the safe in the Times Theatre, Winnipeg, recently. The safe was forced and the theft was only discovered Monday afternoon by the management. Mont! Clergy vs. Radio Thrillers The Montreal Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Canada has asked that “radio programs of the thriller and gangster type” be banned from all Canadian radio stations, in a _ resolution which was passed unanimously at a meeting held last week under the chairmanship of Rev. C. Ritchie Bell, moderator of the presbytery. Augustin Frigon, general manager of the CBC, stated a few days later that it was not the intention of the Corporation to take thriller or horror programs off the air. Any statement to the effect that the CBC is ordering private stations not to renew contracts involving certain of these programs is not correct. The CBC is of course against any program which tends to upset the emotional equilibrium of both children and adults by excessive stimulation of the nervous system but the corporation’s policy will continue to be, as it has been in the past, to point out such excesses and ask sponsors and producers to cooperate in their elimination. Profit Percentage To Russian Aid Esquire Films has reached an arrangement with the Canadian Aid-to-Russia Fund whereby a percentage of the profits of each showing of its Soviet pictures will be contributed to the latter. Any exhibitor who would like to aid the Fund in this way can get in touch with Esquire Films or I, H. Allen personally. February 7, 1945 Sunday Movies Find Favor (Continued from Page 1) of life were asked the question, “Should Sunday movies be allowed in Toronto for the general public?” Each answered in the affirmative. Most of those queried made the point that Sundays in Toronto were hard on visitors or residents without families. At present there are Sunday afternoon movies for men and women in the armed forces, four theatres taking turns. This idea was undertaken at the request of the military authorities and more than a quarter of a million persons have been entertained since its inception. The theatres carry it on gratis. This plan is in action in several cities. Quebec is the only province in which Sunday movies are permitted for attendance by the general public. The provincial government recently stopped Sunday vaudeville entertainments, the law specifically forbidding that type of amusement. This law had not been applied for many years and even the municipal corporation of Montreal was forced to stop renting its facilities for such purposes. Strangely enough, Toronto theatre men are perfectly satisfied with the present situation and are not enthusiastic about the possibility of movies on Sunday. Cohen to Columbia Albert J. Cohen, leading Republic producer for the past three years, has joined Columbia. Another Suit Twentieth-Fox is being sued by Sydney Easton in New York for alleged piracy of his title, “Lifeboat 13,” and material. Raw Stock Shortage To Affect Reissues The War Production Board of the USA, which rules over raw stock allocations, is expected to rule that none will be allowed for the printing of reissues. Reissues have proved to be potent commercially and companies have scheduled some or sold the rights. The result has, been a demand for raw stock that WPB didn’t figure on. No company not in the business before 1941 can get these allocations, which means that it will be tough on Film Classics, major distributor of reissues. Goldwyn and Selznick reissues are doing well in Canada currently.